Beijing Slams US of ‘Hypocritical Policies’ Concerning Import Duty Ultimatum

Donald Trump’s latest threat to impose an extra 100% tariff on items imported from China has been described as a “classic case” of American hypocrisy, according to the Beijing administration.

A Commerce Ministry spokesperson further commented that Beijing could introduce its own unspecified “countermeasures” if the American leader carries out his threat, noting that the country was “unafraid” of a looming trade conflict.

On Friday, the former president responded at Beijing’s move to strengthen its regulations for exports of rare earths, accusing China of “adopting a confrontational stance” and attempting to hold the global community “under its control”.

He also vowed to cancel a scheduled summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, which was arranged for a summit in Seoul in the coming weeks.

Trump’s comments on last Friday shook stock exchanges, with the benchmark US stock index dropping nearly three percent, marking its largest decline since April.

These statements revived fears of a commercial dispute between the United States and China.

Earlier this year, the two sides had reached an agreement to eliminate significant levies on each other’s goods, which had created the possibility of trade halting between the two countries.

As a result, American import duties on Chinese imports incurring an added 30% levy compared with the start of the year, while items from the United States entering the Chinese market are subject to a 10% tariff.

The most recent comments from China – issued by the relevant government department in the form of written responses to press queries – mirrored language from the height of the latest commercial tensions.

They criticised United States controls on chips and semi-conductors while defending China’s own overseas sale regulations on rare earths as “routine measures” to safeguard national security and that of all nations.

The spokesperson said that for “an extended period”, the US had “overstretched the concept of national security, abused foreign shipment regulations and “adopted biased policies against China.

“Turning to” tariff threats is not the correct approach to interact with the Chinese government,” the official stated.

“China’s position on a import duty dispute has always been steady: we do not want one, but we are fearless of one.”

The previous week, China declared it was tightening export controls on rare earths and further resources critical for advanced tech manufacturing.

The action was viewed as a key move, as the country processes about ninety percent of the world’s rare earths, which are utilized in goods such as renewable energy components and smartphones.

Latest statements from both governments are being interpreted by analysts as a method of enhancing bargaining power ahead of upcoming negotiations.

Is not yet known whether a talks between the former president and Xi Jinping, scheduled at a summit in South Korea before month’s end, will still proceed.